Louise Gornatti Smith

Louise Gornatti Smith, age 91, of Fordyce went to be with the Lord Thursday, August 3, 2023. She was born August 28, 1931 in Fordyce, AR. Louise was a 1949 graduate of Fordyce High School and married Hugh Edward Smith, Jr. on December 26, 1951. She was a member of the Fordyce First Baptist Church and was involved in various community activities. Louise was a homemaker and later worked in the Dallas County Tax Collector’s Office from 1976 until her retirement in 1995. Louise’s love for her family was evident in all the ways she lovingly served them. She was also very proud of her hometown of Fordyce and the state of Arkansas.
Louise is preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Minerva Gornatti; brother, A.J. (Sonny) Gornatti; sister-in-law, Ann Gornatti; and nephew Joe Gornatti. She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Hugh Edward Smith, Jr. of Fordyce; daughter, Rebecca Smith May (Tom) of North Little Rock; daughter, Julie Smith Pennell (Russ) of Houston, TX; and three grandchildren, Jordan May of Chicago, IL, Morgan Buck (Donavin) of West Richland, WA, Emily Winkel (Ryan) of Flower Mound, TX; one great-granddaughter, Hallie Buck; and nieces, Lisa Gornatti and Maria Gornatti of Little Rock.
The family will receive friends Monday August 7, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Benton Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. at the chapel with Rev. Rusty Ross officiating. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery. Arrangements are by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net .
As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be mailed to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Giving, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.